If you are looking for a healthy, fun jump start to the new year the Indiana Parks Alliance has created a “bucket list” of places to go and things to do this year.
During the centennial celebration for Indiana State Parks in 2016 and in preparation for the 50th anniversary of the Nature Preserves Act this year, the IPA asked Hoosiers to select their top “outdoor bucket list” visit locations at Indiana State Parks and State-Dedicated Nature Preserves.
The top 15 scored by voters were:
1. Hike a trail of boulders left by the last glacier and climb the ladders of Trail 3 at Rocky Hollow-Falls Canyon Nature Preserve at Turkey Run State Park.
2. Explore the Pioneer Village at Spring Mill State Park.
3. Watch the sunset on Lake Michigan at Indiana Dunes State Park.
4. Wade in the creek below the waterfall at McCormick’s Creek State Park.
5. Visit a state park nature center to watch birds and learn about park wildlife.
6. Linger and enjoy the sunset at Hesitation Point in Brown County State Park.
7. Walk on the world-renowned 386 million year-old fossil beds at Falls of the Ohio State Park.
8. Ride the refrigerated toboggan run at Pokagon State Park.
9. Visit Monroe Lake to search for bald eagles in winter.
10. Sit by the fire in the historic Lonidaw Lounge in Potawatomi Inn at Pokagon State Park.
11. Stand beside the Great Mound at Mounds State Park and listen to the wind.
12. Explore the old-growth forest at Donaldson’s Woods Nature Preserve in Spring Mill State Park.
13. Walk across the Cataract Covered Bridge at Cataract Falls State Recreation Area (Cagles Mill Lake).
14. Explore the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Plaza at Lincoln State Park.
15. Hike the narrow “backbones” of Pine Hills Nature Preserve.
If 15 items is not enough for your bucket list, other recommendations can be found at indianaparksalliance.org.
“There are some iconic features in our state parks and nature preserves,” said Tom Hohman, president of IPA. “This list is a great guide for parents, grandparents and just about anyone, so you can make sure you discover what Indiana has to offer on public lands, and also find your own favorite outdoor places to enjoy.”
Information about Indiana State Parks is at stateparks.IN.gov, and information about State-Owned Nature Preserves is at dnr.IN.gov/naturepreserve.
